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Experts An Island-Hopping Adventure…Right Here in the Empire State!
CRL travel writer Alexandra Baackes takes you on a weekend jaunt to Long Island’s Suffolk County and the North Fork wine region. BY ALEXANDRA BAACKES
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or years, I associated Long Island with a select few destinations known as playgrounds for the well-known and well-to-do: The Hamptons, Montauk, Fire Island. While I was fascinated by the idea of rubbing elbows with the rich and famous, I never did quite make the trip down south from the Capital Region. Thankfully, it turned out eaux Vineyards. boho-chic Crot that my first foray into Suffolk m fro sip to es Sampl County—while crossing off studying vineyard maps and ferry another one of New York’s 62 schedules in an attempt to plan my safe counties, all of which I’ve resolved to travel regional getaway, essentially makes up to this year—was much more my (and the entire eastern half of Long Island. The hopefully, your!) speed. Enter: the 30-mile peninsula runs roughly parallel North Fork. to another one known, aptly, as the South Travelers driving (or Amtrak-ing it) down Fork, where the previously mentioned Long from Albany have several options when Island hotspots are located. Clearly, I’d been it comes to getting to the North Fork. It’s looking in the wrong place the entire time. about 2.5 hours by car from Albany to Not that the North Fork is all that Bridgeport or New London, CT, where you “hidden” of a gem; Greenport, its de facto can hop on a ferry and literally sail there. Or, headquarters, is a wildly popular tourist spot if you prefer to stick to land, you can simply and charming base from which to explore. drive through New York City, which takes Loyalists call it the laid-back alternative to about 3.5 hours and could increase from the flashier escapes to the south. Roads there depending on traffic. up and down the fork are dotted with farm The area is well known for its wineries, stands and family-owned vineyards, and and Suffolk County, as I learned while
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Travel // Wellness the tiny town that makes up the heart of it is lined with vintage shops, nautical fixings and tempting restaurants. A seasonal spot, Greenport comes to life each year in the spring, gearing up for its busy and bustling summer months. Those who arrive early enough in the season not only beat the crowds, but also encounter friendlier locals who are eager to lend a helping hand with directions before being consumed by the true tourist season. After careful consideration, I checked into The Menhaden, a modern and minimalist boutique hotel with an inviting roof deck, which was perfectly located, allowing me to ditch my car for the weekend and venture everywhere by foot. Setting off on a mission to orient myself down Front Street, I quickly clocked a few of my favorite new boutiques in town for window shopping: Tea and Tchotchkes, full of modern gifts, hip T-shirts and locally crafted greeting cards; Lido, a globallyinspired, bohemian shop; and The Times Vintage, a funky place to browse for blasts from the past. As I mentioned above, you can’t talk about the North Fork without mentioning wine—after all, it’s one of New York State’s four primary wine regions. With 40 vineyards to choose from, the options can be a bit overwhelming. But each has its own flavor. Boho-chic Croteaux Vineyards features rosés, while Sparkling Pointe serves up (you guessed it) lots of bubbles. Lenz feels bougie and upscale, while Duck Walk is unpretentious and laid back. And Jason’s Vineyard? They have alpacas. Imagine that. The North Fork is not all about wine, though. Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. serves up artisanal brews in a renovated 1860s firehouse next to the town’s historic jail. Spirits fans will be delighted by Greenport Distilling or Matchbook Distilling Company, where you can book a $100 MYO
